Reference copy holder



y 1964 A. J. clcco 3,142,123

REFERENCE copy HOLDER Y Filed June a, 1953 ALBERT J. CICCO INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 3,142,128 REFERENCE COPY HOLDER Albert J. Cicco, Pleasant St., Chelmsford, Mass. Filed June 3, 1963, Ser. No. 285,105 9 Claims. (Cl. 4561) This invention relates to a device for conveniently holding reference copy and, in particular, to a reference copy holder which is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of copy and adjustable with respect to a working surface.

Typically, artists, designers, and draftsrnen make use of a drafting table or other fiat surfaces for performing their duties. Very often there is a need to refer to some previously prepared reference copy; i.e., sketches, drawings, and etc. Heretofore, reference copy was often mounted to a convenient wall or taped to table lights and adjoining work surfaces. There was a need for a versatile copy holder which would greatly facilitate withdrawal of reference material.

It is an object of the invention to provide an effective means for holding reference copy material above a working surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide a reference copy holder which may be used to accommodate a wide variety of reference copy sizes and may be adjusted to an optimum position over a working surface in a simple and facile manner.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a reference copy holder that may be stored conveniently in and about a working surface.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a reference copy holder which uses widely available materials in a highly simplified structure.

In accordance with th invention, a reference copy holder comprises first and second tubular assemblies each of which includes a central tube with concentric telescoping means inserted in the ends thereof. Telescoping lateral linkages joined to the central tubes are provided for maintaining the aforementioned tubular assemblies in an adjustable spaced relationship. The combination of tubular assemblies and lateral linkages form a mounting framework. The reference copy holder includes support means connectable to a work surface and these connected to the central tubes for maintaining the tubular assemblies above the work surface. Adjustable joints are provided between the support means and the central tubes for placing the mounting framework in a wide variety of positions relative to the working surface.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a reference copy holder embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the FIGURE 1 reference copy holder;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view showing details of joints;

EIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of a tapered lock; an

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating the storing capabilities of the FIGURE 1 reference copy holder.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown a reference copy holder embodying the principles of the present invention. T he reference copy holder 10 comprises first and second tubular assemblies 11 and 12. Each of the tubular assemblies comprises a central tube 13 and 14 with concentric telescoping means, such as Patented July 28, 1964 rods (or tubes) 15, 16, 17, and 18 inserted in the ends of the central tubes 13 and 14.

The exposed length of rods 15 through 17 are adjusted by means of tapered locks 25 which, conventionally, comprise split tapered ends 33 and complementary tapered nuts 34. When a nut 34 is tightened, the tapered ends 33 are brought to bear against a rod, securing the rod in position. When the tapered nut 34 is loosened, the tapered end 33 separates releasing its hold on a rod.

The reference copy holder 10 also includes, preferably,

- apair of telescoping lateral'linkages 21 and 22. Each telescoping linkage includes a tube such as at 23 and 24 in which is inserted a sliding member such as rods (or tubes) 26 and 27. The opposing free ends of the tubes 23 and 24 and the rods 26 and 27 are hinged to the central tubes 13 and 14 as indicated in FIGURE 1 by means of hinges 28, 29, 31, and 32, respectively. The relative movement between the tubes 23 and 24 and their respective rods 26 and 27 are controlled by means of a tapered lock 25. The tubular assemblies 11 and 12 in combination with the lateral linkages 21 and 22 form a mounting framework.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, it is seen that the reference copy holder includes two support means 36. Each support means 36 (see FIGURE 2) comprises an upper elongated linkage 37 and a lower elongated linkage 38 joined by a ball joint 39. A free end of the upper member 37 is connected to the central tube 14 by means of a ball joint 41.

Mounting means 43 for securing the reference copy holder 10 to a drafting board or other fixed member includes a channel 44 and a normal member 46, the upper end of which forms one-half of a swivel lock 47 (see FIGURE 3). A complementary portion of the swivel lock 47 isformed at one end of each lower linkage 38. In a conventional manner, the swivel lock is assembled by means of a wing nut 51.

Reference copy is secured to the mounting frame by any suitable means, spring clips 50 for example.

Although the operation of the reference copy holder 10 is clear from the foregoing description of the construction, a typical adjustment will be described. An adjustment to accommodate the width of a piece of reference copy material is made by loosening the tapered locks 25 interconnecting sleeves 23 and 24 with rods 26 and 27. This action permits the relative movement between sleeves 23 and 24 and rods 26 and 27. When the desired width is achieved, the tapered locks 25 are tightened to maintain the desired width.

In a similar way, adjustment to accommodate the height of the reference copy material is made by first loosening the upper and lower tapered locks 25 on the central tubes 13 and 14 and sliding the rods 15-18 relative to their respective central tubes 13 and 14. When a proper height adjustment is achieved, the tapered locks 25 are tightened.

To move the mounting framework over the work surface, it is merely necessary to pull the mounting framework forward. The upper linkage 37 moves relative to the lower linkage 38 through the ball joint 39. Note the phantom outline in FIGURE 2. The mounting framework may be pivoted about the ball joint 41 to provide a suitable viewing angle.

In the event it is desired to disassemble the reference copy holder and to store it substantially out of sight, it is merely necessary to loosen the tapered locks 25 on the lateral linkages 21 and 22 and disengaging sleeves 23 and 24 from rods 26 and 27, respectively. The sleeves 23 and 24 and rods 26 and 27 will then pivot about the hinges 28, 29, 31, and 32 aligning themselves substantially parallel with the tubular assemblies 11 and 12. Upon loosening the wing nut 51 on the swivel lock 47, the tubular assemblies may be rotated so that they are folded into the channel 44 as indicated in FIGURE 4.

From the foregoing, it is quite obvious that the novel construction and operation discussed above results in a reference copy holder which may be adjusted to accommodate reference copy, the sizes of which vary over Wide limits. It is also quite obvious that the mounting framework holding the reference copy material may be moved and adjusted in a simple manner to accommodate optimum viewing requirements. The construction also lends itself to being conveniently stored.

The various features and advantages of'the invention are thought to be clear from the foregoing description. Various other features and advantages not specifically enumerated will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as likewise will many variations and modifications of the preferred embodiment illustrated, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A reference copy holder comprising:

(a) first and second tubular assemblies including a central tube with concentric telescoping means inserted in the ends of said central tube;

(b) telescoping lateral linkages joined to said central tubes for maintaining said tubular assemblies in an adjustable spaced relationship;

() support means connectable to a fixed member connected to said central tubes for maintaining said tubular assemblies above the fixed member; and

(0!) means adapted for securing the reference copy means to said central tubes.

2. A reference copy holder as described in claim 1 in which said support means is joined to said central tubes by a joint to effect an adjustable support for said tubular assemblies.

3. A reference copy holder as described in claim 2 in which said support means further includes a second pivotable joint in an intermediate location.

4. A reference copy holder comprising:

(a) first and second tubular assemblies including a central tube with concentric telescoping means inserted in the ends of said central tube;

(b) first and second telescoping linkages interconnect ing said central tubes for maintaining said tubular assemblies in an adjustable spaced and parallel relationship thereby forming a mounting framework adjustable in two directions;

(c) support means connectable to a fixed member connected to said central tubes for maintaining said tubular assemblies above the fixed member; and

(d) means adapted for securing the reference copy means to said mounting framework.

5. A reference copy holder comprising:

(a) first and second tubular assemblies including a central tube with concentric telescoping means inserted in the ends of said central tube;

(b) 'first and second telescoping linkages interconnecting said central tubes for maintaining said tubular assemblies in an adjustable spaced and parallel relationship thereby forming a mounting framework adjustable in two directions;

(a) support means comprising elongated members having a pivotable joint at an intermediate point, one end of said elongated members adapted to be secured to a fixed member, and the other end of said elongated member being connected to a central tube by a second pivotable joint; and

(d) means adapted for securing the reference copy means to said mounting framework.

6. A reference copy holder as described in claim 5 in which said pivotable joints are ball joints.

7. A reference copy holder as described in claim 5 in which said telescoping means and said telescoping lateral linkages include locking means for preventing relative movement of otherwise movable parts of said telescoping means and said telescoping lateral linkages.

8. A reference copy holder comprising:

(a) a mounting framework comprising coplanar telescoping members forming a quadrilateral, said telescoping members having adjustable lengths for varying the length and width of the quadrilateral;

(b) support means connectable to a fixed member connected to said central tubes for maintaining said tubular assemblies above the fixed members; and

(0) means adapted for securing the reference copy means to said central tube.

9. A reference copy holder as described in claim 8 in which adjacent telescoping means of said mounting framework are joined by pivotable joints for rotating one telescoping means parallel to an adjacent telescoping means. scoping means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 889,526 James June 2, 1908 1,108,687 Boorman Aug. 25, 1914 1,971,926 Weakley et al. Aug. 28, 1934 2,763,456 Breer Sept. 18, 1956 3,099,102 Mitsuyasu July 30, 1963 

1. A REFERENCE COPY HOLDER COMPRISING: (A) FIRST AND SECOND TUBULAR ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING A CENTRAL TUBE WITH CONCENTRIC TELESCOPING MEANS INSERTED IN THE ENDS OF SAID CENTRAL TUBE; (B) TELESCOPING LATERAL LINKAGES JOINED TO SAID CENTRAL TUBES FOR MAINTAINING SAID TUBULAR ASSEMBLIES IN AN ADJUSTABLE SPACED RELATIONSHIP; (C) SUPPORT MEANS CONNECTABLE TO A FIXED MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID CENTRAL TUBES FOR MAINTAINING SAID TUBULAR ASSEMBLIES ABOVE THE FIXED MEMBER; AND (D) MEANS ADAPTED FOR SECURING THE REFERENCE COPY MEANS TO SAID CENTRAL TUBES. 